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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS & 




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ADDRESS, 



DELIVERED AT THE 



ORGANIZATION OF THE FACULTY 



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DICKINSON COLLEGE, 



January, 15 th, 1822. 

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BY J. M. MASOA, PRINCIPAL, 

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CARLISLE. 

GEORGE PHILLIPS, PRINTER, 

1822. 



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ADDRESS, &c. 



GE.^TLEMEJfOF THE TRUSTEES 

J1JSB RESFEC1ED AUDITORS, 

I address you this day under circumstances of pe- 
culiar delicpcy and difficulty. Dickinson Coin ee, 
which had long languished, and at hist expire is 
about being revived again. It comports with ncith*. 
er my inclination nor design, to institute insidious 
enquiries into the causes of its former failure. With 
great and good men you were favoured in more 
suspicious times. For depth of learning, ior c- 
curacy of information for splendour or wit the 
n me of Dr. Nesbit will long be rememberec: a, d 
the memory of his successours. who followed him, 
a though it must be confessed hand pas si'uts ccqws, 
\\ A be reverend and revered while piety is nonoinvd 
in Carlisle. 

Many causes conspire to elevate and depress se- 
minaries of learning without great personal merit 
on the one hand, or personal dement, on the other. 
Over the vicissitudes which have happened to this 
one. it would answer no good purpose to dweii; 
and it would savour too much of a vanity which 
would but ill become ln^z who are now entrusted 






( 2) 

with its management, to make boastful professions, 
and encourage high expectations of its future pro- 
gress. Their labours have already been too highly 
appreciated, their powers have, perhaps, been too 
much applauded : The country has been taught to 
expect more from them than their talents and in- 
dustry shall probably be found to justify ; and they 
will have reason to think themselves happy above 
the common condition of men in their situation, if 
they shall not altogether disappoint the public an- 
ticipation. 

The revival of a decayed institution, being much 
more difficult th n the establishment of a new one, 
as the resurrection of a dead bodv is more arduous, 
and certainly more uncommon, than the produc- 
tion of a living one; and as all the success, human- 
ly speaking, will depend upon the plan to be pur- 
sued it mav be due to the occasion to sav a itw 
words on a subject, on whichever} body talks con- 
fidently, and few think correctly, while the million 
prate without thinking at ail — the subject of edu- 
cation. 

Education, if I mistake not, contemplates three 
objects, the evolution of faculty ■, the formation of 
Habits, and the cultivation oi mannets 

1 The evolution of faculty — This, of course, 
implies, that there is faculty to be evolved. So, that 
like ail created power, education must have its ma- 
terials from the hand of the Creator. Itself creates 
nothing It only brings out qualities which 
pit-existed. It is a manufacture, and, like all oth- 
er m nufactures must have the raw material to work 
upon, or it can do nothing Many well meaning- 
people imagine that it is in the power of teachers to 
do every thing : and hard measure do they give 
them for not working miracles — for not converting; 
a booby into a lad of genius. My friends, you 



(7) 

to the happiness of parents, to the pence of the sur- 
rounding neighbourhood, to the glory of the land ? 

On this, which is a large theme, I shall briefly ad- 
vert to two habits, which though of apparently mi- 
nor importance, mingle themselves with all the du- 
ties and occasions of life. 

i. Subordination to authority. I regret to say 
that in all the departments of society, from the pa- 
rental control to that nf the government, this is 
held by our youth in too little esteem. Their ambi- 
tion, very early evinced, is to be manly and to 
be free. They are, therefore, prone to spurn res- 
traint and to take their own way : esteeming that to \ 
be a noble spirit which acknowledges no superiour; 
and that to be true liberty which follows its own 
pleasure. That the prevalence of such a temper 
should produce wide spreading mischief, is ma- 
nikst to every sound thinker; and often to the youth 
themselves when it is too late to undo the conse- 
quences. In the mean time it militates alike against 
the very constitution of cur nature — against the 
most express commandments ol God — and against 
those principles of action which, at all times and in 
every place, but. from peculiar causes, in the pre- 
sent day and in our owncountrv, are necessary to 
the order of society nd the happiness of individuals. 

It militates against the very constitution of our na- 
ture. It is not for nothing ; it is for benign and wise 
purposes, that our creator has determined we should 
cane into the world utterly feeble and helpless. The 
first friend whom the infant recognizes, is his mo- 
ther. To her tenderness, her watchfulness, her pa- 
tience, he probably owes more than to the kindness 
of any of his species. Under her gentle auspices 
the first buddings of his rational nature begin to un- 
fold- To her is allotted die delightful province of 
teaching " the young idea how toshcot." oi mould- 



( S ) 

ing the heart — of cherish in g ail its ami hie and ge* 
nerou? affections — of storing it with the 4i sweet 
charities" of life — of leading it in filial pietv, to God 
the sovereign good. The rudiments of many a cha- 
racter distinguished for virtues henouredbothon earth 
and in heaven, can be traced to the nursery and the 
3ap. O most charming employment ! rich compen- 
sation for the seclusion, the anxieties the pains, to 
which the sex is destined ! O most refreshing a- 
b.tement of the sorrows of that cup which has been 
assigned to woman iotf her priority in transgres- 
sion ! 

Then comes the father, appointed by the divine 
mandate to be the head of the domestic establish- 
ment. His family is his kingdom , his children 
are his subjects; and he is the governour in his own 
house. These young subjects are submitted to his 
rule : he knows best, at least better than they, what 
is for their gjood. His authority is to be their rea- 
sen for many, for most things while they are quite 
young. And should theyprove refractory, his su- 
periors physical force can, and should, constrain their 
submission. H therefore, both parents perform 
their duty, their children, rcotw ithstanfiing the dread- 
ful drawback; of human depravity, will generally 
grow up trained to obedience. Their habits will be 
incorporated into their character. They cannot be- 
come rude and disorderly v. Uncut violating all , the 
sense of decorum and gratitude ; and breaking 
through., besides, all their early habits. The com- 
ittoa sense of mankind is in accordance with all this. 
A rough, surly, ungovernable, boy, there is no- 
thing more common than to call an unnatural child. 
Thus are children, by the very condition of their 
being, made lit subjects for order which "is Hea- 
ven's firbt law*" And he who requites his parents 
care, by vicious courses* bv eiviijir himself up to the 



( 9 ) 

service of iniquity, which is the essential disorder, 
though he should be one of the " fairest spirits," that 
ever " lost heaven," and should be plausible and 
seducing as Belial himself, deserves no other appel- 
lation than that of a monster. 

The spirit of insubordination, moreover, militates 
against ih.^ most express commands of God himself. 

His commandments are in unison with the con- 
stitution of his world. From the highest to the 
lowest, their tendency is to promote order. His ve- 
ry controversy with sin and sinners turns exactly up- 
on this point, whether HE shall govern his own cre- 
ation, or they shall do as they please. And, there- 
fore, there is no regulation ol human conduct pres- 
cribed with more peremptoriness, and under greater, 
variety of forms, than obedience to law. This broad 
injunction covers the whole ground of our so- 
cial relations, " Children obey your parents 
in all things, for this is well pleasing to the 
Lord." The admonition is addressed to them 
when they are of years to reflect, and successfully to 
resist. No thanks to you, young people, if you o- 
bey when you cannot, and dare not, disobey. Ever- 
lasting reproach be to your parents if they per- 
mit such early insubordination — But when you are 
grown to have some understanding of your own ; 
when your physical strength enable you to defy both 
mother and father, then the voice from the excel- 
lent glory speaks unto you : " My son receive the 
instruction of thy father," and adds, with unutterable 
tenderness, ''despise not thy mother when she is old." 
So also, with respect to servants : " Servants, be 
obedient to your masters according to the flesh." 
So likewise with respect to political government. 
44 Put them in mind to obey magistrates. Submit 
44 yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's 
44 sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, or to 

B 



<c o;overnours, as unto those that are sentbv him forthc 
''punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them 
"that do well.' 5 

A young man, therefore, who cherishes a temper 
of disobedience toward his superiours, plants h mself 
down in a path where the machinery, established by 
his maker, must go, and will infallibly crush him to 
atoms. 

Once more. This spirit of insubordination mi* 
litates against those principles of action which at ail 
times and in every place, but especally in our oivn 
day and country, are necessary to the peace of so- 
ciety, and to the happiness of individuals. I shall 
waive the first part of this proposition, for the sake 
of the second- — - 

We live in a republican country. Its means of 
keeping up good government are entirely moral. 
The government of force it rejects as fit only for 
slaves. What then shall become of the public or- 
der, if our youth, who are shortly to be the gover- 
nours, cherish a spirit of disorder? What of re- 
publican government, and of our country, which has 
been called "the world's last hope? 1 " V\ herein shall 
we be able to compare with the governments of Eu- 
rope, which we term despotic, if we ourselves exhi- 
bit a spirit of misrule, and hasten, by our own im- 
prudence, the approach of that day when the coer- 
cion of the bayonet shall be necessary to bring us to 
our senses ? 

2. There is another habit of immense value in 
all the concerns of life — I mean the proper employ- 
ment and distribution of time. 

Of 'lime, more precious than rubies, and of which, 
of all the three score and ten years which form the 
limit of by far the gre ter portion of men upon earth, 
only the present moment is our own ! 

Young people always calculate upon futurity, and 



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( 11 ) 

almost always negieet the passing hour; that is, they 
speculate upon that in which they have no interest, 
and squander away that in which they have. It 
would terrify men beyond the power of expression, 
would they realize that the 'breath in their nostrils' is 
all that they can claim ! that the present pulsation of 
their hearts, gives them no assurance that they shall 
have a pulsation more ! Yet upon this brittle, un- 
certain tenure, hangs their computation for both 
worlds! How immense, then the importance cf 
learning to make .he most of what they have ! How 
can that be learned more effectually, than by having 
the intervals of time filled up ; and a constant pres- 
sure upon the mind to make every one of them tell. 
Idleness is universally theparentof vice, and it is one 
of the most fruitful sources of Juvenile corruption, 
that they have so many hours in which they have 
nothing to do! Your own famous Rittenhouse used 
to say that he once thought health the most precious 
of all human possessions! Is it not? exclaimed 
an astonished visitor ; what then is it ? "Time." re- 
plied the sage, "Time!" Instead, therefore, of hav- 
inga great deal of time loose upon their hands, youth 
are most kindly and wisely dealt with, by their hav- 
ing none, or next to none. And of how much va- 
lue it will be hereafter, to acquire the habit of be- 
ing always busy, let those determine who are the 
most active and efficient men in the various walks 
of public and private industry. 

III. I have said that education includes the cul- 
tivation of manners. I mean by manners all those 
lighter things in conduct, which though they do not 
occupy the rank of morals, do yet belong to the em- 
bellishments and ornaments of life. 

I hardly know how it has happened, that a "scho- 
lar," is become a common term for every thinp un- 
polished and uncouth. Some men, indeed, by the 



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( 12 ) 

greatness of their genius, and the immensity of their 
erudition, have attained a sort of privileged exemp- 
tion from the common courtesies of society. 
But the misery is that the same exemption is 
claimed by those who have only rudeness, which they 
mistake for genius; and disregard of civility, which 
passes with them for erudition. Thus, if scholars 
are sometimes awkardand absent, every avvkard, in- 
attentive creature calls himself a scholar. Just as, to 
use a comparison of the late Mr. Gouverneur Mor- 
ris, "because statesmen have been called knaves, eve- 
*'ry knave should, of course, suppose hirnselfa states- 
'man. 3 ' Certain however, it is, that no young men 
have enjoyed the reputation of being ill-bred, un- 
mannerly, and vulgar, more than Students of Col- 
leges. How is this ? Is there any thing in the re- 
treats of the muses to cherish ferocity ? Do men 
necessarily become brutes, when the world gives 
them credit for becoming philosophers ? Does the 
acquisition of science, especially moral science, in- 
volve the destruction of decency? So that after a 
young man has left college laden with all its honours r 
he has again to be put to school, in practical life, be- 
fore he can be fit for the company of gentlemen and 
ladies ? I blush to think that the place, which of 
ail others, is supposed to teach a young man man- 
ners, is the army : That the kindness, the courtesy, 
the chivalry of life, should be associated with the 
trade of blood ! That the pistol and the dagger, 
should be the measure of morals and of politeness, 
with gentlemen : and that when they have trampled 
under their feet every law of God and man ; and all 
that is dear to human happiness, and ought to be of 
high account inhuman society, is made the sport of 
momentary passion, they should stiil be allowed to 
pass for men of breed '.n*. and honor! "There 
is Something rotten in the state of Denmark !" 
The old adage, though not true in the extent to 



( 13 ) 

which it has been carried, is yet true in a great de- 
gree, 

" Tngenvas diilicisse Jideliter artes, 
*' Emollit mores, nee sinit esse feros." 

Let the "molles mores," of the sons of Dickinson, 
shew that they have faithfully studied the " artes 
ingenuas.?' 

This intellect it is true, cannot be evolved ; nor 
these habits formed; nor these manners cultivated, 
without exact government. Let not my young 
friends be startled bv the terms exact govern- 
ment. I do not mean the government of brute 
force: nor the government of mere stern authority. 
I know that these methods have been sometimes 
tried, and have always failed : and I scruple not to 
say ousrfit aiwavs to fail. Some men have imaein- 
ed the vouthof ourcountrv to be naturally ferocious, 
and have applied to them the same sort of means as 
they would have applied to an intract ble beast — 
Some men, have again, supposed that there is no way 
of supporting their authority, but by distance, by 
austerity, by menace. I am neither disappointed 
nor displeased, at their complete discomfiture. And 
J am free to confess that if there be not something 
in the characterand carriage of thegovernour which, 
of its own accord, invites confidence and ensures res- 
pect, all artificial substitutes will speedily prove their 
insufficiency. 

With respect to the accusation which has fre- 
quently been brought against our youth, of their 
being more untoward and unruly than youth 
of other countries, at their age, and in their circum- 
stances, I must take the liberty to call this a mere 
calumny. And must say further that when sucn 
conduct has been evinced, in any considerable de- 
gree, the limit has been at least much in the gover- 
nors as in the governed. I have been young my- 



iMtmmm 



( U) 

self and have not forgotten my youthful feelings* 
I never could find in my heart, nor see in my fellows, 
the smallest disposition to act with any contumely 
towards a man who knew how to treat us as gentle- 
men ; nor with any respect towards a man who did 
not. Let this rule be freely and fairly applied. I 
submit to all the consequences, and 1 think I may 
answer for my colleagues. lam full well aware of 
the peril of this declaration, but have no inclination 
to shun it. I can speak, and I hope may speak, on 
this occasion, without the charge of egotism, from 
my own experience. For more than twenty years 
I came into immediate contact with the children of 
a large congregation—for nearly fifteen years it was 
my lot to direct the studies of young men for the 
christian ministry- — and for five years of that period 
1 was called to the government of one of our most 
considerable colleges; and in all the time, I never 
met with an instance of personal disrespect from a 
young person in any one of them. I have no fear 
of it now ; for I cannot suppose that the youths of 
Dickinson will impose on me the necessity of mak- 
ing them a dishonorable exception. 

What then is the government which ought to be 
pursued, and will perform such miracles among 
young men? One which is very plain, very sim- 
ple, though unhappily not very common ; and one 
which will carry the process through from a family 
up to a nation. The whole secret consists in being 
reasonable, being^nw, and being uniform. 

1. In being reasonable. Whatever you require, 
must be such as cannot fairly be objected to: such as 
belong to the situation, of your pupil, his duties, and 
his time of life. It is a very strong point gained to 
have his conscience on your side. You are not to 
demand what he is unable to perform. And if such 
happen to be his situation, it must be altered accord- 



( 15 ) 

inirlv. Great care must then be taken to see that 
your commands are reasonable; this matter being 
settled, I say 

2, That a good government ought to be firm* 
Intreaty and supplication ought to have no more in- 
fluence upon its proceedings, than upon the bench 
of the Supreme court ; and a youth should count 
no more upon its plianc) 7 . 1 do not mean to assert, 
that a teacher or governour of youth should never ac- 
knowledge an errour; or .that he should obstinately ad- 
here to a thing because he has said or ordered it. 
He is a miserable pauper whom the less of a six 
pence will bankrupt ; and in intellectual matters he 
is no richer, who cannot afYord to confess a mistake. 
He must net, indeed, do this often. But occasion- 
ally, as humanum est errare,ht may, by ov^ning" 
that he has been mistaken, doing it freely, doing it 
magnanimously, attach the affections of the youth 
very strongly to his person, and affirm his authority 
by those very means which would weaken it in an 
undecided and incapable man. 

3- I add, once more, that a government, to 
be good for any thing, must be uniform. By 
uniform, I mean that it shall be habitually the 
same thing; that when you have its decisions at one 
time, you know where to find them at another : that 
it shall not be marked by whim: shall not be moved 
out of its course by gusts of passion : shall not, in 
a fit of great good humour, allow to day what in a fit 
of ill-humour, it will forbid to-morrow. Shall not 
therefore tease and vex the subjects of it by its fick- 
leness, and variableness. These should always know 
what they have to depend upon; and not see the ele- 
ments of order disturbed and broken up, by the 
prevalence of official disorder. 

Against a government administered upon such 
principles, and marked in its several acts by courte- 



( 16 ) 

sv, by kindness, by the frankness and diq-nitv of e'en- 
tlemen, I am persuaded that depravity herself could 
not muster up any thing like a formidable con- 
spiracy. 

Such, gentlemen, we profess to be our aim ; and 
in the prosecution of such an aim we feel confident 
of your support. Although we do not expect to 
have much, if any, reason to apply for it. We do 
hope, that an appeal to the understanding, the mag- 
nanimity, the conscience, of the students, will ef- 
fectually preclude these scenes of misrule which have 
occasionally tarnished the history of other Colleges ; 
and that affection will do for us, what the exercise 
of mere authority has not been able to do for others, 
attach the students more and more to the interests 
of their Alma mater. 

After all, young gentlemen, the students of this 
institution, her success is, in a great measure, in 
your hands. Have we deceived ourselves in expect- 
ing from you, a chivalrous sense of moral honour ? 
A delicate, noble sensibility, to character, and 
all the decencies and elegance of character? a 
high respect for order and decorum, even in slight- 
er matters? an ardent love of your studies, and 
corresponding industry ? If we have not; if our 
expectations are well founded ; if you shall bear us 
out in our hopes respecting you ; then shall our ef- 
forts be animated, our labours sweetened, our suc- 
cess cheering: and Dickinson College revive from her 
desolations, a phoenix of renewed life, and spreading 
her lustre over your county, your state, your coun- 
try, be a source of mild and enduring glory in ages* 
to come. 






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